HDMI Audio Metadata Mapping for Hybrid Set-Top Source Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in identifying media sources associated with IP/QAM hybrid set top boxes due to the complexity of DOCSIS/MoCA specifications and the lack of affordable commercial off-the-shelf equipment for network traffic monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The use of HDMI audio metadata for source classification, where unique encoding classes (UECs) are defined based on parameters like IEC61937 data type, bit rate, and center mix level, allowing for the identification of media sources without degrading the audio signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network traffic monitoring is used to identify media sources, then source identification capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to the need for specialized monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification task from complex network traffic monitoring and relocates it to the audio signal processing domain. By extracting unique encoding characteristics (UECs) directly from the audio metadata that is already present in the signal, the system avoids the need for separate monitoring equipment while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copies of encoding parameters that are already embedded in the audio signal. Instead of creating new monitoring infrastructure, the system leverages existing metadata copies (bit rate, sampling rate, encoding type) that travel with the audio signal, making identification inexpensive and equipment-free.
2Ease of manufacture
If analog audio analysis is used for source identification, then equipment requirements are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/analog audio analysis with digital signal processing. By substituting the mechanical approach of analyzing physical audio waves with digital analysis of encoded metadata parameters, the system maintains equipment simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision through exact digital parameter matching.
3Measurement precision
If DOCSIS/MoCA network monitoring is implemented, then source identification capability is improved, but loss of time increases due to the complexity of processing network protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from complex network protocol processing and relocates it to audio metadata analysis. By taking out the identification task from the DOCSIS/MoCA protocol stack and performing it directly on the audio signal's embedded parameters, the system eliminates time-consuming protocol decoding while maintaining identification accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If commercial off-the-shelf monitoring equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to the high cost of specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized monitoring equipment with inexpensive, readily available audio processing capabilities. By using cheap, widely accessible technology (standard audio decoding and metadata extraction) instead of costly specialized equipment, the system achieves the same identification function at minimal financial cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for source classification using HDMI audio metadata. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract values of audio encoding parameters from HDMI metadata obtained from a monitored HDMI port of a media device, the HDMI metadata corresponding to media being output from the monitored HDMI port; map the extracted values of the audio encoding parameters to a first unique encoding class (UEC) in a set of defined UECs, different ones of the set of defined UECs corresponding to different combinations of possible values of the audio encoding parameters capable of being included in the HDMI metadata; and identify a media source corresponding to the media output from the HDMI port based on one or more possible media sources mapped to the first UEC.